But he said: “It’s amazing that, thanks to someone saying yes to organ donation, I have got my life back.

“I was on 24/7 oxygen before the operation and was so close to dying.

“It was so emotional actually being able to walk Helen down the aisle on her wedding day.

SERIOUSLY ILL: Graham before his transplant operation [CATERS]

“He was so unwell leading up to the wedding that we all feared he wouldn’t make it”

Helen Wagstaff, bride

“I never thought I’d get the chance. It was a perfect day.”

Helen, 34, who lives in California with husband Patrick, said she was terrified her dad would die before he found a lung donor.

She added: “It was amazing having both my parents fly over. He was so unwell leading up to the wedding that we all feared he wouldn’t make it.”

After having the transplant, Graham, of Albrighton, Shrops, who had congenital lung disease, was able to fly to LA for the big occasion. His brother died 16 years ago from the same illness, aged only 49.

Graham added: “Without my new lungs I wouldn’t be here today. It’s a gift that I won’t ever be able to repay."